Building a Kids’ Clubhouse: A Photo Essay
Author Lee Mothes decided to build a backyard clubhouse for his grandchildren. He documented the process — and what he’s still learning from it — along the way.
Lee Mothes knows a little something about how much having a clubhouse of one’s own appeals to kids. In fact, he wrote a book on it! A few months ago, Storey’s illustration coordinator, Ilona Sherratt, alerted me to the fact that Lee would be putting his clubhouse-building skills to use constructing a backyard structure for his grandchildren Junah (4½), Ginny (almost 2), and Malina (1 week old at the time construction began).
“Junah is excited about it already, and the girls will eventually reap the benefits. We’ll start it on Earth Day, April 22, and it will take about a month to complete,” Lee wrote. He planned to document the process along the way. “Would you like this to be available to your readers?” he asked. Of course! was my reply.
Lee’s dispatches and photos follow, and they serve not only as a sweet time capsule of the seasons and of children at a certain age, but as a genuine love letter to resourcefulness, creativity, and play from a grandfather to his grandkids. Who knows? It might just inspire you to think about starting work on a backyard project with your little ones. — Emily Spiegelman, Digital Content Manager
Monday, April 23
We had a blizzard last weekend, so the clubhouse will have to wait a few more days until the snow melts.
I was able to start Step 1 — building a set of sawhorses — today.
Junah and his friend Alayna watched as I measured and cut the pieces and then nailed them together. In their minds, sawhorses are meant for riding, so they did!
Wednesday, May 2
The walls have been framed, the floor is in, and we are working on the roof. I say “we” because Junah and Ginny are helping in their own way.
The kids are constantly on hand, always checking in on what is going on. Junah loves to use the tools, like his own tape measure.
Ginny likes to sort the nails.
Tuesday, May 22
The clubhouse has progressed well and is almost completed. I will hang the door today!
Here’s one big thing I learned: Using found or repurposed materials will determine the building process as much as it does the design and final look.
I started with the 6′ x 8′ shed-roof clubhouse. Some old porch roof pillars and found decking told me there needed to be a porch too.
A neighbor donated plywood and 2 x 4s for our floor.
My daughter Kate, an art promoter, donated all the siding lumber. She had painted one side of them in several colors for an art show. We put the colored side inside, leaving the outside plain.
The kids’ great-grandmother donated a tall hinged window. I found two more small hinged windows on the curb from a house that had been damaged by fire.
The roof boards and roof trim are from a cedar fence that blew down in a storm, and thrown out.
The porch floor — old decking that was still good on the underside — was salvaged from a farmer’s burn pile.
The porch pillars are over 100 years old, discarded by our neighbor when they rebuilt their back porch.
I found a partial roll of tar paper in my basement — enough for the roof.
The only purchased materials are nails and some 2 x 4s for the wall and roof framing.
Monday, June 18
The clubhouse is finished!
Junah and neighbor Alayna, both 4, helped on painting day. They learned how to use the rollers real fast. Junah got the big one, because it’s his clubhouse, he said.
Ginny likes to slam the door.
The porch really adds charm and will help keep the weather and mud out of the clubhouse.
Build your own unique backyard playhouse. In this inspiring guide, Lee Mothes shows you how easy it is to construct the hideout of your kids’ dreams. With simple step-by-step instructions and plenty of innovative ideas to engage kids throughout the building process, the whole family can get involved in the fun. You’ll love constructing a personalized clubhouse with your kids, and your kids will enjoy playing in it for years to come. Just don’t forget the secret password.
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